THERE will be at least one change to Port Adelaide’s side for the crucial game against North Melbourne in Hobart this Saturday.
A guaranteed omission will be key back Jackson Trengove who is set to miss for an extended period of time recuperating from a foot injury.
A ready-made replacement will be difficult to find, with logical choice Jack Hombsch himself battling injury in the pre-season and still finding form in the SANFL.
Jasper Pittard is a long shot to recover from a hip flexor injury and therefore likely to miss as well.
The answer is more likely to come through the coaching panel shuffling the deck and potentially shifting the likes of Cameron O’Shea to the half back line and rotating long-kicking, pacey midfielder Matthew Broadbent through defence.
Veteran Dom Cassisi can also play defensively and could provide another half-back option to the Power.
In terms of players who may come into the side; Andrew Moore has been in good SANFL form could be summoned to provide more grunt in the midfield.
Matt Thomas is another who has been getting close to, or over, 30 disposals on a weekly basis in the SANFL and could play a similar role.
Sam Colquhoun is also an option if selectors want to play an extra defender. His size won’t replace Trengove's, but he does provide good run as indicated by several solid weeks playing for the Bulldogs in the local comp.
Robbie Gray is also set to start on the field following two weeks wearing the green vest as the Power’s substitute.
portadelaidefc.com.au’s predicted starting line up:
FF: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray
HF: Angus Monfries, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
HB: Lewis Stevenson, Cameron O’Shea, Matthew Broadbent
FB: Tom Jonas, Alipate Carlile, Campbell Heath
Foll: Brent Renouf, Hamish Hartlett, Dom Cassisi
Int: Oliver Wines, Matthew Lobbe, Jake Neade, Andrew Moore*
The answer is more likely to come through the coaching panel shuffling the deck and potentially shifting the likes of Cameron O’Shea to the half back line and rotating long-kicking, pacey midfielder Matthew Broadbent through defence.
Veteran Dom Cassisi can also play defensively and could provide another half-back option to the Power.
In terms of players who may come into the side; Andrew Moore has been in good SANFL form could be summoned to provide more grunt in the midfield.
Matt Thomas is another who has been getting close to, or over, 30 disposals on a weekly basis in the SANFL and could play a similar role.
Sam Colquhoun is also an option if selectors want to play an extra defender. His size won’t replace Trengove's, but he does provide good run as indicated by several solid weeks playing for the Bulldogs in the local comp.
Robbie Gray is also set to start on the field following two weeks wearing the green vest as the Power’s substitute.
portadelaidefc.com.au’s predicted starting line up:
FF: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray
HF: Angus Monfries, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
HB: Lewis Stevenson, Cameron O’Shea, Matthew Broadbent
FB: Tom Jonas, Alipate Carlile, Campbell Heath
Foll: Brent Renouf, Hamish Hartlett, Dom Cassisi
Int: Oliver Wines, Matthew Lobbe, Jake Neade, Andrew Moore*
* into side
Port Adelaide injury list
Danny Butcher – AC joint (assess)
Jasper Pittard – hip flexor (assess)
Brett Ebert – adductor (3-5 weeks)
Jackson Trengove – foot (TBC)
Enemy Lines: North Melbourne
The Roos have ruled out the return of Robbie Tarrant to its side this weekend.
Tarrant failed to complete North’s main training session today.
However Lachie Hansen will play available to play for the Kangaroos after being cleared by North’s fitness staff following Roos training.
According to North’s official website, Hansen will continue to be monitored in the leadup to selection, but is expected to play football at some level this weekend.
North Melbourne’s last team
FF: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Taylor Hine
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Samuel Wright
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie MacMillan
FB: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
Foll: Max Bailey, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Sam Gibson, Ben Cunnington, Ryan Bastinac, Liam Anthony
North Melbourne injury list
Robbie Tarrant – leg (1 week)
Taylor Garner – ankle (test)
Lachlan Hansen – knee (test)
Eric Wallace – knee (1-2 weeks)
Tom Curran – foot (season)
Port Adelaide injury list
Danny Butcher – AC joint (assess)
Jasper Pittard – hip flexor (assess)
Brett Ebert – adductor (3-5 weeks)
Jackson Trengove – foot (TBC)
Enemy Lines: North Melbourne
The Roos have ruled out the return of Robbie Tarrant to its side this weekend.
Tarrant failed to complete North’s main training session today.
However Lachie Hansen will play available to play for the Kangaroos after being cleared by North’s fitness staff following Roos training.
According to North’s official website, Hansen will continue to be monitored in the leadup to selection, but is expected to play football at some level this weekend.
North Melbourne’s last team
FF: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Taylor Hine
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Samuel Wright
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie MacMillan
FB: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
Foll: Max Bailey, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Sam Gibson, Ben Cunnington, Ryan Bastinac, Liam Anthony
North Melbourne injury list
Robbie Tarrant – leg (1 week)
Taylor Garner – ankle (test)
Lachlan Hansen – knee (test)
Eric Wallace – knee (1-2 weeks)
Tom Curran – foot (season)
